Domaine les Gryphees Beaujolais "Cuvee les Balmes" 2019

Pierre Durdilly’s venerable domaine is named for the “gryphees” – or seashell fossils – that crunch underfoot as you walk through his vineyards. In local patois, a “balme” is a slope, and this refers to Durdilly’s steeply graded vineyard planted with 90+ year-old vines growing on soils teeming with Beaujolais’ classic “pierres dorees,” a mineral-rich golden chalk that imbues the region’s wines with its persistent minerality. Both these impressive traits are on vivid display in Gryphees’ exemplary Cuvee les Balmes. On the nose, the Gryphees Beaujolais knocks you out with its dense raspberry and plum aromas. The palate saturates the senses with old-vine notes of cherry, plum, and red raspberry infused with savory herbs and fine tannins. On its long finish, the wine leaves that elusive and delicious dusting of minerals on the lips and inner cheeks long after it disappears from the palate. This is great Beaujolais for a song, and a perfect partner for your Thanksgiving turkey, rich potato gratins, fresh cheeses, grilled sausages, charcuterie, mushrooms in a cream sauce, and pan-seared pork chops.

Thanksgiving selection 2020